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Fire ban implemented in county

As of noon on Thursday, Strathcona County's fire advisory has been upgraded to a full fire ban.

The ban, which took effect immediately, applies to all rural areas, hamlets and Sherwood Park.

Until the ban is lifted, no outdoor fires are permitted, including burning barrels, fireworks, recreational fire pits and charcoal BBQs. The use of gas and propane appliances, such as BBQs, is still allowed.

Fire and fireworks permits are suspended until the ban has lifted.

The county ban, announced around the same time as the City of Edmonton put in place a fire ban, comes as a result of "hot, dry weather conditions and the high risk of fires getting out of control," Strathcona County noted in a statement.

Rain that fell early Thursday morning was not enough to quell fire fears, as noted by deputy fire chief Bob Scott: "Don't be fooled by it. Just because it's cooler, more humid and rainier, that doesn't necessarily mean conditions have changed enough for us to take the fire (measures) off."

The county noted that implementing a fire ban also helps with the availability of appropriate staffing and equipment for Strathcona County Emergency Services, with resources sucked up by the wildfires in northern Strathcona County that have torn through more than 600 hectares of rural land.

On Tuesday, a structure fire also broke out in Ardrossan off Highway 16 and Range Road 222, where a large storage shed was fully engulfed in flames around 6 p.m. The fire was under control by 8 p.m., and crews remained on scene until 11 p.m.

"Please phone 9-1-1 to report a fire," said Devin Capcara, acting fire chief for the county. "Thank you to residents for their cooperation in helping keep our community safe."

Failure to abide by the fire ban may result in fines as high as $1,000, as well as "significant charges" for the cost of responses.

Any change in the ban status will be noted online at strathcona.ca, through the county's burning status line at 780-464-8464, or through the SC Alerts emergency notification system.

Residents can sign up for the alerts program at strathcona.ca/scalerts.